The Dark Mirror (1946)

The Dark Mirror
Directed by Robert Siodmak
Written by Nunnally Johnson from a story by Vladimir Posner
1946/USA
International Pictures
First viewing/Olive Films DVD

[box] Dr. Scott Elliott: Not even nature can duplicate character, not even in twins.[/box]

This somewhat predictable thriller is lifted by one of Olivia de Havilland’s most interesting performances.

Terry and Ruth Collins (de Havilland) are identical twins.  One of them has clearly murdered a doctor who was getting ready to propose.  But which one?  The twins refuse to talk and no one can tell them apart.  Legally, Lt. Stephenson (Thomas Mitchell) can’t hold either one of them, for fear of arresting an innocent person.

Psychologist Dr. Scott Elliott (Lew Ayers) is an expert on twins and tells Stephenson that the characters of identical twins can definitely be told apart.  He talks the twins into assisting in his research for pay.  Inevitably, he falls in love with Ruth and decides Terry is insane.

Meanwhile, the stress is getting to Ruth to the extent that she experiences hallucinations and Terry gets increasingly jealous and suspicious.  Stephenson is worried that Terry’s next victim may be Ruth.  He resorts to a daring ruse.

De Havilland is really good here.  She plays Ruth more or less as herself but gives Terry a subtle hard edge that lets the audience know who is who from the start.  This one did not scream film noir to me either in the content or in the style.

The Dark Mirror was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNhiI1I9g1g

Clip – cinematography by Milton R. Krasner